WASTEWATER COLLECTION
Description: The Wastewater Collection Division manages the operation and maintenance of an intricate wastewater collection system consisting of wastewater collection mains, interceptors, and sanitary sewer lift stations. These efforts provide wastewater collection service to the community through video inspection of sanitary sewers, warranty inspection of new construction, mechanical and chemical treatment of troubled sewers, routine sewer and lift station maintenance and system replacements, which reduce the risk of public exposure to biological hazards associated with wastewater streams.

All Flushable Products aren't good for the sewer system. Read more and view the video.

STORM WATER
Description: The Storm Water program accounts for all activities involved in the construction, operation and maintenance of storm water conveyance systems within the City Limits for the protection of property and the protection of stream water quality to meet the requirements of the federal Clean Water Act.

City prepares for new Storm Water Regulations

Polluted storm water runoff is often transported to Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) and ultimately discharged into local rivers and streams without treatment. EPA's Storm Water Phase II Rule establishes an MS4 storm water management program that is intended to improve the Nation's waterways by reducing the quantity of pollutants that storm water picks up and carries into storm sewer systems during storm events. Common pollutants include oil and grease from roadways, pesticides from lawns, sediment from construction sites, and carelessly discarded trash. When deposited into nearby waterways through MS4 discharges, these pollutants can impair the waterways, thereby discouraging recreational use of the resource, contaminating drinking water supplies, and interfering with the habitat for fish and wildlife.

In 1990, EPA issued Phase I of the Storm Water Rules, which required systems serving populations of 100,000 or greater to implement a storm water management program to control polluted discharges. Phase II of the rules will soon apply to City of The Dalles and will require the City to develop a storm water management program covering six minimum control measures: 1) Public Education and Outreach, 2) Public Participation/Involvement, 3) Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination, 4) Construction Site Runoff Control, 5) Post-Construction Runoff Control, and 6) Pollution Prevention.

WASTEWATER TREATMENT
Description: Wastewater treatment functions are primarily performed under contract with Operation Management International, Inc. with administrative oversight by Public Works staff. As holder of the discharge permit, the City retains responsibility for compliance with all permit limits and other requirements.